Nectarine tree &#34;Artic Glo&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and improved variety of nectarine tree which has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. 
     1. Regular and productive bearer of white flesh clingstone fruit. 
     2. Fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality. 
     3. The fruit having firm white flesh with good handling and shipping quality. 
     4. Bearing fruit with an attractive red skin color. 
     5. Vigorous upright growth.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree was originated by us inour experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., as a secondgeneration seedling from a cross between two selected seedlings. Thematernal parent originated from a seedling of an open pollinatedCarnival Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,144) crossed to a seedlingoriginating from an open pollinated Fayette Peact (non-patented). Thepaternal parent was a white flesh nectarine seedling of unknownparentage. We grew and maintained a large number of second generationseedlings from this cross which gave a range of peaches and nectarines,both white and yellow flesh. The present variety exhibited thedistinctive desirable fruit characteristics described above and wasselected for asexual reproduction and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present new nectarine variety was asexually propagated by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., by budding, and theasexually propagated trees shown that said characteristics of the treeand its fruit are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree is of large size,vigorous, upright growth, and a regular and productive bearer of largesize, firm, white flesh, clingstone fruit with excellent flavor andeating quality. In comparison to the white flesh nectarine Rose (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 1,421) with which it has certain characteristics incommon, the new variety has a higher degree of attractive red skincolor, has firmer flesh with greater handling and shipping quality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color illustrations, by photographic reproduction, areof typical specimens of the foliage and fruit. The exterior andsectional view of the fruit are shown to expose flesh coloration with astone remaining in place. The illustrations were taken shortly afterbeing picked (firm ripe) and the colors are as nearly true as reasonablypossible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a botanically detailed description of the new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree based upon observations of thespecimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color terminology (exceptthose in common terms) in accordance with Reinhold Color Atlas by A.Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Density.--Medium dense.

Form.--Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.

Production.--Productive.

Bearer.--Regular.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium to stocky.

Texture.--Medium shaggy.

Color.--Brown to dull brown.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Surface.--Smooth to medium rough.

Lenticels.--Medium number. Medium size.

Color.--Light brown.

Leaves:

Size.--Medium to large. Average length--6". Average width--11/2".

Texture.--Smooth.

Margin.--Crenate.

Form.--Lanceolate. Pointed.

Thickness.--Medium.

Glands.--Globose. Average number 2-- range 1 to 4. Located on upperportion of petiole and lower portion of leaf blade.

Petiole.--Medium length. Medium thickness. Upper surface grooved.

Color.--Upper surface-- jade green to green (27-E-5) to (27-E-7). Lowersurface--grayish green (28-E-6) to (28-E-7).

Flower Buds:

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Shape.--Plump.

Flowers:

Size.--Large-- showy.

Blooming Period.--Mar. 9, 1990 to Mar. 15, 1990. Varies slightly withclimatic conditions.

Pollen.--Present.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--Jun. 9, 1990.

Date of last picking.--Jun. 16, 1990.

Size.--Large. Average diameter axially-- 23/4". Average transversely insuture plane-- 23/4".

Form.--Nearly globose. Only slightly elongated in suture plane.

Suture.--Shallow. Extends from stem to apex.

Ventral surface.--Slightly lipped.

Base.--Retuse.

Cavity.--Rounded. Average depth-- 1/2". Average breadth-- 5/8".

Apex.--Majority of fruit have slight point. Varies from round to slightpoint.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Tough-- tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--Very slight.

Down.--Wanting.

Color.--White to pale yellowish white ground color (2-A-1) to (2-A-2).Overspread with red (9-A-7) to (9-B-8).

Flesh:

Ripens.--Evenly.

Texture.--Firm, meaty.

Fibers.--Small, few, tender.

Juice.--Moderate.

Flavor.--Excellent. Sub-acid, mild.

Eating quality.--Excellent.

Amygdalin.--Undetected.

Aroma.--Moderate.

Color.--White (2-A-1). Slight pinkish white steaks near pit cavity(9-A-2) to (9-A-3).

Stone:

Type.--Clingstone.

Size.--Large. Average length-- 1 5/16". Average width-- 1". Averagethickness-- 3/4".

Form.--Oval.

Base.--Straight.

Apex.--Pointed.

Sides.--Nearly equal.

Surface.--Irregulalry furrowed toward apex-- usually pitted toward base.

Tendency to split.--Very slight.

Color.--Brown to reddish brown (9-E-6) to (9-E-8).

Use: Dessert.

Market.--Local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good.

Shipping Quality: Good.

The tree, flowers and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil types, cultural practices and climatic conditions; the presentbotanical description is that of the variety grown under the ecologicalconditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree substantiallyas illustrated and described, characterized by its large size, uprightgrowth and a regular and productive bearer of large size, firm, whiteflesh, clingstone fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality; thenew variety is further characterized in comparison to the white fleshnectarine Rose (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,421) as having firmer flesh withgreater handling and shipping quality and a higher degree of attractivered skin color.